Exposed

Teenager put bacon on vehicles outside Cambridge mosque after being told off for riding his motorbike

Giulio Vines “didn’t like the way he was treated” by worshippers at Omar Faruque Mosque who told him to be quiet
A motorcyclist threw bacon on vehicles outside a mosque because he didn’t like the way he was told to be quiet by worshippers.

Giulio Vines, from Milton Road, Cambridge was riding around outside with friends near Omar Faruque Mosque in Kirkwood Road in June when someone came out to speak to them.

At Cambridge Magistrates’ Court today (July 11) Sandra Dyer, prosecuting, said: “Some people came out of the mosque and asked him to be quiet. He didn’t like the way he was treated.”

A few days later on June 8, Vines and his friends returned around 11.15pm. Vines had brought a pack of bacon from home.

When worshippers praying during Ramadan left the mosque around 12.15am the next day, four cars were found with bacon on them.

A Suzuki Bandit was caught on CCTV near the scene, which was then traced back to Vines.

Ms Dyer said Vines claimed he had “nothing against Muslims” but that he “accepted bacon was offensive to Muslims”.

The prosecutor told the court the words of a worshipper, who said: “I feel I have been targeted because of my faith. I am a peaceful, law-abiding person who went to the mosque for prayer.”

Monica Lentin, defending, said: “Initially my client and his friends had gone out on their motorbikes in the vicinity of the mosque. They rode their bikes up and down. They didn’t go out looking for any trouble.

“I think it’s accepted by people in the mosque that somebody came out. He [Vines] didn’t realise it was Ramadan.

“He said someone came out of the mosque and was actually aggressive to him. He just felt upset at the way he was spoken to.”

“He knew what he was doing but he didn’t fully appreciate the hurt and upset of the people whose cars he threw the bacon at,” said Ms Lentin.

She added: “It was kids making noise, being told off and my client taking exception.”

Vines admitted a charge of racially/religiously aggravated criminal damage. A further charge of criminal damage was dropped.

The court heard that Vines later went to speak with two people from Omar Faruque Mosque, which the defence described as “an extremely constructive and very helpful discussion”.

Ms Lentin said: “They accepted my client didn’t intend to cause the harm he has. My client doesn’t have and has not been brought up to have any hatred of anyone based on their colour, creed or anything else.”

She told the court Vines was “a good worker” and that he had come “top of the class” in his apprenticeship.

Ms Lentin said: “I invite you and your colleagues to consider dealing with this in such a way that will enable him to continue to do what he has been doing.”

The bench told Vines: “We accept the defence’s version of events. It wasn’t hate crime. We believe this was an act of immaturity.

“We have heard that you have made contact with the victims who have shown compassion towards yourself.”

Vines received a 12-month conditional discharge and was ordered to pay £85 in costs, £25 compensation to each victim and a victim surcharge of £20.